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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
| INCIDENT:
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Oxnard Police Announce the Arrest of Three Suspects for Multiple Homicides and Robberies
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| DATE/TIME:
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May 16, 2017, at approximately 9:15 P.M.
May 16, 2017, between 9-9:30 P.M.
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| LOCATION:
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300 block of North G Street, Oxnard
5400 block of Perkins Road, Oxnard
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| VICTIM(S):
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Aaron Austin, 29-years old, Oxnard resident
Eduardo Leon, 23-years old, Oxnard resident
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| SUSPECT(S):
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Joel Montijo, 22-year old Oxnard resident
Joseph Martinez, 19-year old Oxnard resident David Flores, 20-year old Oxnard resident
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| SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
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Black 2000’s Model BMW
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| PREPARED BY:
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Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763
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| CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:
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Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763
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DETAILS:
(Oxnard, Calif) – Oxnard Police Chief Scott Whitney announced the arrest of three individuals suspected of murdering 29-year old Aaron Austin and 23-year old Eduardo Leon, both from Oxnard. Arrested for the murders were 22-year old Joel Montijo, 19-year old Joseph Martinez, and 20-year old David Flores. All three suspects are Oxnard residents. The murders took place on May 16, 2017.
The first homicide occurred on May 16, 2017, at approximately 9:15 p.m. in the 300 block of North G Street. Oxnard police officers responded to the report of a shooting victim. Upon their arrival, they located a 29-year old male, identified as Aaron Austin, suffering from gunshot wounds. Austin was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) by ambulance. Unfortunately, Austin was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
While this investigation was still in its initial stages, the Oxnard Police Department was notified of another shooting victim. On May 17, 2017, at approximately 5:30 a.m., residents in the 5400 block of Perkins Road called the police department after they found a shooting victim lying in the west alley. Police officers responded and located the shooting victim, a 23-year old male, identified as Eduardo Leon. EMS personnel arrived on scene and declared the victim deceased. During this investigation, police officers and detectives spoke to several residents who said they heard gunshots or fireworks the previous evening (May 16, 2017) but did not report it to the police.
The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit responded to both homicides and began to diligently investigate both cases and follow up on all leads. Detectives developed information on both cases that led detectives to determine that both of these homicides were committed by the same suspect(s). Additionally, detectives uncovered video surveillance recordings that captured, what detectives believe, was a vehicle associated with the suspect(s) in the homicides.
Detectives reviewed the surveillance video and strongly believed that the suspect vehicle was a dark colored 2000’s compact BMW sedan. This determination was made based on the various mechanical characteristics of the vehicle, including the location of the different exterior lights on the car.
As the investigation evolved, detectives identified a potential suspect named Joel Randy Montijo. Montijo was identified as a suspect based on fingerprint evidence located at the crime scene on North G Street. Detectives researched Montijo’s background and his acquaintances. Detectives learned that Montijo regularly associated with 20-year old David Flores and 19-year old Joseph Martinez. Detectives also learned that Martinez was the owner of a black 2000’s model BMW.
Detectives moved forward on the investigation by serving search warrants and conducting countless interviews. Detectives were able to gather sufficient evidence to conclusively determine that all three suspects were involved in the murders of Aaron Austin and Eduardo Leon. Detectives also believed that the motive for the murders was robbery. While investigating the homicide cases, detectives identified two additional armed robberies that involved multiple suspects. These robberies occurred the same night as the murders.
Detectives investigated the robberies and learned that the victims were robbed of their cellphones and money at gunpoint. One robbery occurred at approximately 9:20 p.m. in the 3500 block of Samuel Avenue. The second robbery occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the 5400 block of Roland Way, which is in the same general vicinity where Eduardo Leon was killed. Detectives believed that Montijo, Martinez, and Flores committed these robberies.
During the investigation, the detectives worked closely with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives shared all evidence and information gathered with the District Attorney’s Office during the nine month long investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office advised detectives that there was sufficient evidence to obtain arrest warrants for Montijo, Martinez, and Flores for the murders of Aaron Austin and Eduardo Leon, as well as two armed robberies that were committed the same night as the murders.
On February 23, 2018, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Major Crimes Detectives obtained signed arrest warrants for the three suspects. Detectives directed officers from the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) to arrest Montijo and Martinez. Montijo and Martinez were arrested at approximately 8:00 p.m. the same night without incident. At the time of his arrest, Martinez was driving his black BMW sedan. The BMW was impounded as evidence. On February 26, 2018, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Major Crimes Detectives arrested Flores at the Ventura County Jail. Flores was in custody on firearms possession charges, unrelated to the homicide investigations. If found guilty on all charges, all three suspects face a potential sentence of death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The arrest of the three suspects is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the officers and detectives of the Oxnard Police Department. Several allied agencies also provided a great deal of assistance with the investigations. They include the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ventura office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000.00 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases. Although police have arrested suspects in the senseless murders of Aaron Austin and Eduardo Leon, detectives will continue their investigation. Detectives ask that anyone with information on these murders to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600. You can also provide valuable information and remain anonymous by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.
DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 28, 2018, at approximately 8:00 a.m.
Aaron Austin Eduardo Leon
Joel Montijo Joseph Martinez David Flores